Amusement apparatus



F. n. CHESTER.' AM'USEMENT APPARATUS. APP'LlcATfoN man Aus.4,192o.

Patented Jan. 31,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l..

I. R. CIIESIER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.4. IsIzo.

1,405,282, Pafented Jan. 31, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

j' l 'gg y ya MMX. BY

. UNITED STATES PATENFI orifice,

FRANK E. CHESTER, or AsBUEY EAEK, NEW JERSEY. y

vieuvrUsEMENT APPARATUS.

. To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK R. Ci-iEs'rEn, a citizen of the United States,l and a resident of AsburyPark, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is ay full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to amusement apparatus such as shown and described in the application for Letters Patent of theUnited States, No. 362,761, iiled by me June. 9, 1920. I g

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved amusement apparatus for use in pleasure resorts, exhibition grounds, fairs and other placesl of amusement, and arranged to enable a number of players to participate at the same time and with an equal chance to all the playersto successfully play the game in the shortest time.

Another object isjto provide a rather uni expected, startling effect at the end `of each Play,

i. With these and otherob1ects in view, the invention consists of certain :novel features of Construction as lhereinafter shown and described andthen specifically pointed out in the claims. Y I

A- practical embodiment yof the invention is represented in the accompanying drawy ings forming apart of this specification, in

which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all vthe views.

`Figure 1 isa crosssection of the improved amusement apparatus; y

Figure 2 is-a fragmentary front elevation of the same;

. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the controlling means for controlling the `flow -of the fluid pressure from the fluid pressure ,reservoir to the pressure reducing means;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of one ofthe fluidpressure controlling valves in open position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the step by step governingdevice .for the valve in the main lineconnecting the `fluid pressurereservoir with a hollow fragile object;

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of the lower portion ofthe pressure reducing means; and -1 Figure f is 'an enlarged cross', section of Vone of the toy yhereinafter holder 2O and the neck 2l. of the hollow ob- Specicaton of Letters Patent. v Patient-ed Jan, 319 19.422.

Application filed August 4, 1920. Serial No. 401,176.

being shown in elevation. Y

The'players stand infront of a counterballoonsfand its holder, partsv ,l I

or stand 10-or a similar structure, and each` of the players manipulates a hand wheel. 11 secured to the front end of ashaft l2vjournaled in suitablebearings 13 arranged on the upper portion of the counter 10, as plainly shown in Figure l. In the rear of the counter or stand 10 andr spaced from the same is arrangeda support 15 provided with a vrearwardly and upwardly 'sloping top y16 ornamented with a scenic eifect to venhance the appearanceof the gamel apparatus. On the top 16` are mounted holders 20'coiresponding in numberto the wheels 11 and disposed opposite the same, and each holder is adapted to receive theneck 21 ofla hollowfragile object 22 such as an ,inflatable toy balloon adapted to be lirst inflated by re-` duced air pressureA from within and to `loe finally bursted` by a high air pressure, as

more fully explained. vrIhe ject 22 are preferablyv conta-ined v*within a suitable guard 23 in the form .of a-.basket containingthe hollow obj ect 22 when in deflated condition prioi' to the starting of the game.

The holder 2O forms the upper end a main pressure supply pipe 2,5 extending downward 'within thefsupport l5 and passing under the looi' 26`to connect with a vpressure supply reservoir 27, y preferably charged with compressed air, say from about to 100 1bs.,the reservoir being preferably located. in the lower portion of thecounter or stand 10.Y The reservoirll is provided with a suitable pressure gage 28 to indicate the pressurev contained therein, and they said reservoir 27 is also provided with'a suitable automatic relief valve 29 for relieving the leads a pipe 35 to the lower end of a pres-` lreservoir of excess pressure whencharging i sure reducing cylinder 36 mounted in the support 15 and containing a piston 87 provided with a piston rod 38 extending through a suitable stuihng box 39 held on the top of the cylinder 36. The piston rod 38 is provided at its outer portion with a weight 10 to normally hold the piston 37 in a lowermost position, the weight resting on the stuiing boX 39. The lower end of Ithe cylinder 36 is connected by a pipe 41 with the main pipe 25 at a point intermediate the valve 50 and the object 22. The pipe Li1 is provided at its inlet with a reducing plug ll2 (see Figure 6) having a small aperture or a bleed hole for the passage of Aair from the cylinder to the pipe /il and to the object 22 to inflate the same with reduced press-ure. The pipe 85 is provided at Vthe stand 10 with a fixture 15 (see Figures 1 and 3) and through this fixture extends the shattv 12 of the hand wheel 1.1, and the sha-'tt 12 is provided withinthe tixture45 with ardametrical aperture 116 for reducing the air pressure passing through the pipe ifom the reservoir 27 to the cylinder 36. lt will be noticed that on a 'player turningthe hand wheel 11 the shaft 12is rotated and consequently the diametrical aperture i6 moves alternately into open and closed position relative to the pipe 235 'to provide an Aintermittent flow of air pressure through the pipe 35. it will be noticed that on tu-:ning the'hand wheel 11 too fast or too slow the up and down movement ot the piston 5T in the cylinder 36 controls an electric switch 50 ilor a solenoid 51 mounted on the :iupport 15 and having its core 52 connected with an arm 5S secured on the stem oli the valve 30 to suddenly open the said valve whenever the solenoid 51 is energizeiil on closing the switch 5t. ,il spring 55 normally holds the core 52 in lowermost and vthe valve 30 in closed position. The solenoid 51 is connected with a main circuit wire 6U connected with the binding post 61 of a cutout switch 62 connected vbyline wires 63, 64e with a source of electrical renergy 657 one oi Vthe linev wires being provided with a main switch 66. The main circuit wire 6() is also connected by a wire 67 with the upper end of the pipe 35, which latter is provided adjacent the upper end with a section 68 ol" rubber or other insulating material. The switch 50 is provided witha movable member 70 and a yielding member 71, oi' which `the movable member 70 is in the :torniot a rack andhis mounted to slide up and down. in a bear1ng'72 attached to the support- 15.

VThe yielding member 71 is slidable in a I 60` tubular carrier 73 screwing in nut 71 attached to a bracket 75 heldin the support 15. A'sp'ring 76 bears on the Contact 71 to normally hold the latter in lo'wermost posithipn. rThe bracket 75 is connected by a wire 'H with the solenoid 51. Themovable switch member 70 is engaged by a spring-contact 7 8 connecting a wire 7 9 with the companion binding post of the binding post 61. Thus when the switch 62 is in closed position, as shown in Figure 1, and the switch member 70 moves into engagement with the switch member 71 then the circuit for the solenoid 51 is closed and hence the latter is `'energized to open the valve 30. `When this takes place the full fluid pressure from the reservoir 27 passes into the object 22 to burst the same.

The movable switch member v70 is engaged by a pawl arranged on the upper end o' a core 86 of a solenoid S7 mounted on an arm 88 fulcrumed at 89 on ashelf 90- t'orming part of the support 15 (see Figures 1 and 5). The arm 88 forms an armature to be released by an electromagnet91 supported by a bracket 92. The solenoid 87 is connected by a circuit wire 95 with a contact.

96 held insulated on a barV 97 adjustably mounted on posts 98 attached to a bracket 99 secured within the support 15 (see Figure 1). The solenoid 67 isalso connected by a wire 100 with the circuit wire 79. contact 96 is in the path ot' the upper end of the piston rod 38 vand hence when the piston 37 is lifted by air pressure in the lower end of' the cylinder 36, untilY the upper end of the piston rod 38"moves into engagement with the vContact 96, thenk the circuit for the solenoid 87 is closed 'and the core 86 thereof is moved upward thus lifting the switch member 70. On the reduction of pressure in vthe lower end of the cylinderv 36 the piston 37 moves downward by the action of thev weight 410 and hence the pistonv swing upward but is prevented fromA swing ing downward; A spring l107v connects the.

shell with the bracket 10e to normally hold the pawl 85 in engagementV with one of the rack teeth on the Vmovable switch member 70. It is understoodv that/'when the solenoid 87 is cle-energized its core'v 86 drops with pawl 85 glidingover the correspond- Ving rack teeth of the movable switch member 70, but the latter is held against downward movements by the dog 102. It will be noticed that by the arrangement described repeated raising and lowering of the piston 37 1n the cylinder 36 provides a 'step by -step movement for lifting the movable switch member 70 nntilthe latter Vnally Thel lifted until the piston rod 38 moves intov made:

comes in contact with the switch member 71 to close the circuit for the solenoid 51, to energize the same with a view to open the valve 30'as before' explained.

The Ielectromagnet 91 above mentioned serves to impart a downward swinging movement to the armature arm 88 with a view to disengage the pawl 85 as well as the dog 102 from the rack teeth of the movable switch member 70 to allow the latter to drop whenever the electromagnet 91 is energized. In order to energize the electromagnet 91 the following arrangement is Above the `contact 96 is arranged a contact 110 adapted to be engaged by the upper end of the piston rod 38 whenever the piston 37 is lifted a considerable distance in the cylinder 36. The 'contact 110 is connected by a wire 111 with the electromagnet 91 connected by a wire 112 with the line wire 79 previously mentioned. Thus when the piston rod 38 engages the contact 110 the clrcuit for the electromagnet 91 is closed and the latter is energized to swing the arm 88 downward'to disengage the tooth 85 and the dog 102 from the movable switch member 70 'to allow the latterto -drop prior to closing the switch '5.0 for the solenoid 51.v

In 'order to ycause'occasional deflation rof the object 22, in case of the piston 37 being engagement with thecontact 110, the follow- "ing arrangement is made: In the pipe 41 connecting the cylinder 36 with the main supply pipe 25 is arranged an opening 120 normally closed by la valve 121 having Vits valve stem 122 forming part of a core 123 of a solenoid 124 mounted on a suitable support 125f arranged on the bracket 99 (see Figure 1). The.- solenoid 124'is connected by a wire 126 with the contact 110 and by a wire 127 with the wire 100 connected with th'emain circuit'wire 79. Thus when the upper end of the piston rod 38 moves into engagement with the contact 110 then Vthe circuit for the solenoid 124/ is closed and 'the' latter is energized `thus lifting the valve 121 into Vopen position'andfthereby allowing the airv in the pipe 41 to escape whereby a 'reduction of pressure is had inthe object 22 and consequently the latter becomes deflated.

'" In the pipey 35 intermediate the fixture 45 and the resevoir 2,7 is arranged a valve 130 vsimilar to the valve 30 and having its valve stem 131 provided with an arm 132 lconnected with the core133'of a solenoid 134 mounted von 'a bracket 135 arrangedin the stand 10. A spring 136 bears on the core 133 to move the latter downward whenthe wires 140, 141 with the main circuit wires 79, 60 and hence the solenoid 134 remains energized as long `as the switch 62 is in the closed position shown in Figure 1.

The switch 62 is swung into -open position' after each game has been played to close the valve 130 and thus to shut olf the fluid pressure supply to they cylinder 36. When the switch 62 1s thrown over from the running position shown in Figure 1 it connects with contacts 145, 146, of which the contact 1 of' engagementwith the vswitch member 71 andv hence the solenoid 51 becomes de'en ergized. When this'takes place,` the valve 30 is lclosed to disconnect 'the reservior 27 from the object 22.

In playing the game', `the operator first closes the switch 62 and then the players' turn the hand wheelsjll with a view lto allow air under reduced 1 pressure to pass by way of the pipe 35, cylinder 36, pipe 41,

and the upper portion of the main ypipe`25 into the deflated toyv balloons with a view to inflate the same. By providing the uncertain elements aboveV described, the several toy balloons are more or less inflated according to the speed `at which the hand' wheels 11 are turned, aspreviously explained. It will be noticed that on` turning a hand wheel 11 too fast' or too slow more pressure will be had in the cylinder 36 than is desirableand consequently the valve 121 opens to deflate the corresponding balloons and allow the movablev switch member 70 to drop'. When a `movable switch member 70 has, however, been raised the desired height to make' contact with the switch member 7'1 then the circuit for the solenoid 51 is closed and the latter is energized. Vhen vthis takes place the valve. 30 is openedand full air pressure from the reservoir 27 passes the same thus finishing the game. 'When thisr has beenv done the switch 62 is temporarily thrown into open position, as previously explained, to close the valve v130 and to allow the several switch members 70 to drop vto llowermost starting position. It will be noticed that the inflation and deflationv of a toy balloon fluctuates and its cause for doing vso is unaccountable to the `into the corresponding balloon 22 and bursts player. It will further be v.noticed that the chances of skillfully playingthe game by the several Vplayers arealike although' the slightesty variations in the speeds of the hand Awheels 11 produce different results, as above stated. The player' who succeeds in raising the switch member into circuit closing position in the shortestftime wins the game.

Immediately after the game is finished, the attendant in charge of the game apparatus throws the switch 62 over, as above explained, and prior to starting the next game the switch (52 is returned to its closed position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. -ii'n amusement apparatus, including a plurality of fragile objects, a fluid pressure reservoir, means connecting saidY reservoir with said objects whereby permitting of the lattei being demolished, and a plurality of hand-operated controlling means for governing the amount of fluid passing from said reservoir into each of said fragile objects. Y v

2. in amusement` apparatus, comprising a series of fragile objects, a reservoir charged with a fluid under pressure and having a fiuid pressure connection with the interior of each of the said fragile objects to burst the same, and a plurality of handoperated controlling means controlling the connections between the said fragile objects and the said reservoirto govern the bursting of the fragile objects by the fluid pressure discharged into it.

An amusement apparatus, comprising a fragile object, a fluid pressure reservoir having a. main air supply pipe connected with the said fragile object to supply the latter with air pressure to burst the object, a main valve in the said mainair pipe and normally closed, and a hand-operated controlling means controlling the said main valve to open the latter suddenly t0 allow the fluid pressure to burst the object.

`l. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow fragile object adapted to be bursted by fluid pressure from within, a fiuid pressure reservoir provided with a main pressure pipe connected with the said object to suddenly burst the same, a normally closed main valve in the said main pressure pipe, and a hand-operated controlling means connecting the said reservoir with thesaid object independent of the said main valve, the said controlling means controlling the said main valve.

An amusement apparatus, comprising an inflatable toy balloon, a fluid pressure reservoir provided with a main pipe connected with the said balloon, a normally Aclosed main valve in the said main pipe, a

cylinder having a piston, and connected by a bleed pipe with the said main pipe at a point between. the said object and the main valve, a cylinder pressure supply pipe connecting the reservoir with the said cylinder, a hand Wheel having a shaft extending through ,the said cylinder pressure` supply pipe'and provided with a bleed hole in the said pressure supply pipe, and operating means controlling the said main valve and controlled by the said piston. v

6, Ein amusement apparatus, comprising an inflatable toy balloon, a fluid pressure reservoir provided witha main pipe' connected with the said balloon, a` normally closedy main valve in the said main pipe, a cylinder having a piston and connected by a bleed pipe with thesaid main pipe at a point between the said object and the main valve, a cylindervpressure supply pipe connecting the reservoir with the said cylinder, hand wheel having a shaft eX- tending through the said cylinder pressure supply pipeand provided with a bleedhole in the said pressure supply pipe, operating means controlling the said main valve and controlled by thesaid piston, and a pressure reducing means controlled by the said piston kand connected with the said cylinder bleed pipe. Y,

An amusement apparatus, comprising an inflatable toy balloon, a fluid. pressure reservoir lprovided with a main pipev c011- nected withthe said balloon, a normally closed mainivalve in the said main pipe, a cylinder ,having a piston vand connected by a bleed pipekwith the said mainl pipe. at a point between thesaid object Vand the main valve, a cylinder pressure supply pipe connecting the reservoir with the said cylinder, a hand wheel having a shaft extending through lthe said cylinder pressure supply pipe and provided with a lbleed hole in the said pressure supplyhpipe, and an operating means controlled by the said piston and having a step by step actuated means connected with the said main valve tosuddenly open the same. i v

,y 8. An amusement apparatus, comprising an inflatable toy balloon, a fluid pressure reservoir provided with a main .pipe connected with the said balloon, a` normally closed main valve. inthe saidmainpipe, a cylinder having a piston and. connected'by a bleed pipe withthe said main pipe at a point between the said object and the main valve, a cylinder pressure supply pipe connecting the reservoir withthe said cylinder,

ayhand wheel having a shaft" extending through the. said kcylinder pressure supply pipe and provided with a. bleed hole in the said pressure supply pipe, an operating means controlled by lthe said piston and having a step by step actuating means connected with the said main valve to suddenly open the same, and a Yreleasing meansconnected with the said step by step actuated means to release the latter. Y

9. An amusement apparatus', comprising a plurality of fragile objects, a iuid pressure reservoir, .main pipe connections between the a hollow inflatable fragile object, a fluid said objects and the said reservoir, a normally closed main valve in each pipe connection, and a series of hand-operated controlling devices, one for each of the said main valves to open the latter suddenly to admit full fluid pressure to the corresponding fragile object to demolish the same.

l0. An amusement apparatus, comprising a plurality of fragile objects, a fluid pressure reservoir, main pipe connections between the said objects and the said reservoir, a normally closed main valve in each pipe connection, a series of hand-operated controlling devices, one for each of the said main valves to open the latter suddenly to admit full fluid pressure to the corresponding fragile object to demolish the same, and means controlled by the said controlling means and connecting the said reservoir with the said fragile object to deliver reduced fluid pressure to the fragile object to inflate the same prior to the admission of fluid pressure for bursting the fragile object.

l1. An amusement apparatus, comprising pressure supply means connected with the said object, a hand-operated controlling means controlling the connection between the said object and the said fluid pressure supply means to first admit an initial reduced pressure fluid into the object to inflate the same and to subsequently admit lfullv pressure fluid into the object to burst the same.

l2. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow object, a fluid pressure supply vreservoir connected with the said object to charge the latter with a fluid under pressure, a pressure reducing means in the said connection between the object and the reservoir to supply the object with initial reduced pressure, a normally closed valve in the said connection and adapted to be opened to supply the object with high pressure, a hand-operated controlling means controlling the fluid pressure to the said reducing means, and operating means for the said valve and controlled by the said pressure vreducing means.

13. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow object, a fluid pressure supply reservoir connected with the said object to charge the latter with a fluid under pressure, a pressure reducing means in the said connection between the object and the reser-v nection between the said reducing means and the object.

14.'An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow object, a fluid pressure supply reservoir connected with the said object to charge the latter with a fluid under pressure, a pressure reducing means in the said connection between the object and the reservoir to supply the object with initial reduced pressure, a normally closed valve in the said connection and adapted to be openedV to supply the object with high pressure, a hand-operated controlling means controlling the fluid pressure to the said reducing means, valve operating means, and step by step actuating means for the said valve operating means and controlled from the said pressure reducing means.

15. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow object, a fluid pressure supply reservoir connected with.' the saidk object to charge the latter with a fluid under pressure, a pressure reducing means in the said connection between the object and the reservoir to supply the object with initial re# duced pressure, a normally closed valverin fthe said .connection and adapted to be opened to supply the obj ect with high pressure, a hand-operated controlling means controlling the fluid pressure to the said reducing means, valve operating means, step by step actuating means for the said valve operating means and controlledl from the said pressure reducing means, and a releasing device for the step by step actuating means and controlled by the said pressure reducin means. FRANK R. CHE TER. e* 

